A male is facing charges after starting a fire inside of an Oshawa residence.
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, at approximately 3:40 p.m., members of Central East Division responded to an assist fire call at a residential triplex in the area of Ortona Avenue and Bloor Street East. Officers arrived on scene and assisted Oshawa Fire Services with traffic control as they worked to extinguish the residence.
Officers subsequently received information that a tenant of the triplex was responsible for intentionally starting the fire. The suspect, who suffered minor injuries from the fire, was taken into custody and transported to a local area hospital.
All occupants were safely evacuated from the triplex. No other injuries have been reported to police.
On Monday, May 11, 2026, investigators from the Central East Division Criminal Investigations Branch, with assistance from the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Oshawa Fire Prevention Office, executed a search warrant on the residence to gather evidence.
Phil John LAYNG, age 57 from Oshawa is charged with: Arson/Disregard for Human Life.
He was held for a bail hearing.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Pike of the Central East Division Criminal Investigations Branch 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1705.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation. These allegations have yet to be proven in court.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
